In August, Governor Cuomo gave the go-ahead to museums to open their doors. With new protocols in place and limited time slots, the experience is pure delight and a great activity for colder weather.
Take note of each museum’s policy for mask wearing and reservations and book ahead to secure your preferred visit date. Many also require a temperature check at the door.
New exhibits are planned for the fall – be sure to check each museum’s website for details. Brooklyn and Manhattan are definitely NOT ghost towns!
The Brooklyn Museum: Studio 54: Night Magic exhibit
The museum’s fabulous Studio 54: Night Magic exhibit had barely opened when the pandemic closed the museum down. If you lived through the disco era of the 70s and 80s, this is a don’t-miss. The outfits, the music and the scene are all there. You might even want to break out your platforms and glitter for this one – you’ll be dancing through the rooms here.
The grande dame of New York City art museums celebrates its 150th anniversary year with the Making the Met: 1870-2020 exhibit. This “greatest hits” exhibit is like viewing the museum as a snapshot. The exhibit limits capacity at all times, and you can head directly up the great staircase towards the exhibit and likely not encounter anyone else en route. If you become a Met member, you’ll have special access through the ground level door and up via a direct elevator.
Making the Met: 1870-2020 exhibit
If the exhibit whets your appetite for more, roam the other galleries which are wondrously (and a bit eerily) empty. Plan enough time to go to the Cantor Rooftop for the Lattice Detour exhibit by Héctor Zamora, a fascinating (and timely) interpretation of the concept of a wall. It’s open-air and the elevator to reach it requires only a quick trip with capacity controlled by an attendant at all times.
Whitney Museum of American Art
Vida Americana: Mexican Muralists Remake American Art Mexican exhibit
The best way to view this museum and avoid the crowds is to start at the top floor and work your way down. Take advantage of the outdoor patios on each floor and use the open-air steps connecting them. On each floor, the galleries are relatively empty except for what’s currently “on,” like the über-popular Vida Americana: Mexican Muralists Remake American Art Mexican. Absolutely don’t miss the first floor exhibit, hidden on the east side of the building. It changes frequently but is always thought provoking. No one seems to know this gallery is there, so you’re pretty much guaranteed uncrowded viewing and contemplation. Note that The Whitney books up its limited time slots very quickly.
The Guggenheim
The Guggenheim’s Countryside: The Future by Rem Koolhaas was sadly postponed by the pandemic and part of the outdoor portion was removed. The exhibit is still solid, though, and the museum capacity is limited by time. The museum makes it easy for you to know how to view in safety. You can only head in one direction and arrows are indicated showing how to enter and exit a gallery. The arrows are also placed on staircases for exiting the museum after ascending the spiral. Should you not want to walk the stairs, the elevators are closely monitored. Another plus: many of the restrooms are single person only.
Rock & Roll Revolution exhibit
This repository of New York City-related collections and exhibits doesn’t usually get crowded, with the exception of its special exhibits. The current feature is about Bill Graham, the music promoter most responsible for the “Rock & Roll Revolution” begun in the 60s. You’ll want to spend a fair amount of time here, reading about the evolution of the rock concert scene in New York City and listening to the music tracks. You’re handed an audio guide that’s as contactless as it could be. No touch is required to activate — it turns on automatically when you approach an annotated part of the exhibit. Entry is timed and the exhibit is limited to a maximum of 17 people at any one time. For a sense of what it’s like to be back in a movie theater, the museum screens two films daily in a huge, vastly socially distanced setting. I felt comfortable watching the history of NYC film with seats all around me taped off and people respecting each other’s space. The museum also has an outdoor area showing the borough-by-borough response to the pandemic through photography and poetry.
Handles by Haegue Yang exhibit
Plan for both indoor and outdoor art time at MOMA with their smart timed entry system. The museum adds an extra layer of safety as you must have a temperature scan before you can enter. The spacious galleries don’t feel crowded and there’s plenty to keep you busy and away from others as you explore. Permanent collections mix with feature exhibits like the re-opening Handles by Haegue Yang, a full-scale riot of color and shape. Escalators connect the floors so it’s easy to stay socially distanced as you travel around. For efficient navigation, start on the top floor and work your way down. Once on the ground floor, head to the sub-gallery for the current installation. I’m convinced no one knows this part of the museum exists. Then, take the escalator up to the outdoor sculpture garden where scattered seating will allow you to chill and safely appreciate the return of museums in Manhattan.